Ajijic CARES is a local volunteer committee that started work in March to coordinate events for a commemoration of World AIDS Day. This will be the first local recognition of the annual December 1 event founded in 1988.
The committee, headed by Bobby Lancaster and Dan Blackburn, has defined two primary goals for Ajijic World AIDS Day. The day will recall the memory of those friends of Lakeside residents who have died from the disease and the event will be a vehicle to provide information about the prevention of AIDS, which remains a major threat to the population. The group also hopes to encourage the development of year-round educational and support programs at Lakeside.
Diana Ayala explains: “These goals fit well into the meaning of the organizing committee’s name. While ‘CARES’ does not translate well into Spanish, the words represented in the acronym are very meaningful: Comunidad Aceptación Respecto Esperanza Salud.”
The committee has tallied more than six months of planning and executing ideas. In June more than 120 area residents attended the fundraiser party for Ajijic CARES, netting 25,000 pesos to help fund the December 1 event.
AIDS, which is known as SIDA in Spanish, remains a serious worldwide threat and affects all communities, economic and education levels and lifestyles. The spread of the disease is fueled by a lack of information, especially in places where discussion of sexual and health matters is not open because of shame, religion and family traditions.
There is an office in Chapala City Hall for anonymous AIDS testing, but few programs or services for prevention, counseling or support. Ajijic CARES has contacted a Guadalajara support group VIHAS De Vida, which offers testing, innovative educational programs for prevention, counseling and follow-up assistance. This group has offered to assist in informing local young people of the continuing AIDS health threat.
VIHAS De Vida personnel will be at lakeside on October 25 and 26 to provide information and demonstrate AIDS prevention at the Ajijic Plaza. They will also participate in World AIDS Day events at the Ajijic Malecon on November 30 and December 1.
The group plans to construct a 12-foot-tall sculpture of the red ribbon AIDS logo to display at the Malecon amphitheater. Events will include the distribution of AIDS information and a program featuring local music and dance.
Those who wish to pay homage to friends who have died from AIDS are urged to leave messages, flowers or mementos at the AIDS ribbon. At the close of the ceremonies, candles may be lit to honor friends.
Additional volunteers to create publicity, host guests, organize events and help with staffing are needed to help with the first Ajijic World AIDS Day event. For more information or to volunteer, contact Bobby Lancaster at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Diana Ayala at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .